We all have something special we’d like to buy for our home or in life.
Paying for these significant expenses can be challenging, but a sinking fund may pave a better way.
Sinking funds have long been helpful for companies and bondholders to minimize risk. For example, when corporations need to raise capital, they may issue a bond that matures in 20 or 30 years.
Similarly, you or someone in your family can create a sinking fund, dedicating a savings account for a specific household expense that may be too large to handle without borrowing the money.
Both your sinking fund and emergency fund are safety nets but for different purposes. An emergency fund is for the money you set aside in a savings account for unexpected costs you may face when losing a job, boiler breaks, a medical necessity, or pet surgery.
Before setting up your sinking fund, you should have a good grasp of your household’s budget. Budgeting is an essential tool for understanding your income sources less fixed and discretionary expense categories.
You can open an FDIC-insured saving account for each type or have one large sinking fund named sub-accounts. Keep in mind that the sinking funds are separate from your emergency fund and savings accounts.
Whatever you decide to do, each sinking fund should be in an FDIC-insured savings account that is readily accessible. Then, for longer-term purchases, look for higher yields and minimize fees you may have to pay.